The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas will hold a service on Friday, Oct. 22, in honor of Isidor Paiewonsky on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
A noted business leader, historian and author, Paiewonsky was born on St. Thomas on Oct. 24, 1909, and celebrated his bar mitzvah in the synagogue here at the age of 13. He has been an active member of the congregation ever since.
Rabbi Stephen Schafer, who served the congregation until a year ago, will be returning to St. Thomas to participate in the service. Guest speakers will include Gov. Charles Turnbull. The public is invited to be present.
The service will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Lilienfeld House, the Jewish community's social and educational hall. Lilienfeld House, located across the street from the synagogue and a bit farther up Synagogue Hill, is where the Camille Pissarro exhibit was housed nearly three years ago. Weekly Sabbath and holiday services are being held at the hall while the 166-year-old synagogue building undergoes extensive restoration work.